Household water treatment and safe storage

Menu

Household water treatment and safe storage

A major burden

Every year there are 2 million diarrhoeal deaths related to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene—the vast majority among children under 5. More than one billion people lack access to an improved water source.

Our insight

Household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) interventions can lead to dramatic improvements in drinking water quality and reductions in diarrhoeal disease—making an immediate difference to the lives of those who rely on water from polluted rivers, lakes and, in some cases, unsafe wells or piped water supplies.

The Network

To accelerate health gains to those without reliable access to safe drinking water, WHO established the International Network to Promote HWTS in 2003. The informal network format optimizes flexibility, participation and creativity to support coordinated action.